Com S/Geron 415X Gerontechnology in Smart Home Environments
Assistive Technology Dr. Hen-I Yang
Computer Science Department., ISU
September 27, 2011
Definition of Assistive Technology (AT) Any product, instrument, equipment or technical system
used by a disabled person, especially produced or generally available, preventing, compensating, monitoring, relieving or neutralizing the impairment, disability or handicap. (ISO 9999)
An umbrella term for any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed. (WHO)
Assistive technology encompasses all systems designed for persons with special needs, and that attempt to compensate the handicapped.
Classification of AT (WHO)
Stakeholders Who are the users of AT? The older adults or person with special needs Caregivers Medical professionals Families Friends Other people (building managers, coworkers, neighbors,
visitors)
Compensation Using technology, device or service to compensate for
the functional deficiencies through Enhancement of the user’s own capability Enabling of alternative approaches
Improve the quality of life by enhancing the person-environment fit and congruence
Multiple impairments The difficulty for compensation grows exponentially
Low-tech Assistive Technology Top four assistive devices being used: Eyeglasses Wheelchair or cane Grab bars Bath mats
How Does Aging Affect People?
Sensory Functions
Motor Functions
Mobility Issues
Cognitive Functions
Social & Communication Capabilities
Body Functions as a whole
Sensory Functions Olfactory Gustation Vision Hearing Touch
Examples of Vision Impairments Cataract Colorblindness Diabetic Retinopathy Glaucoma Macular Degeneration
AT for Vision Impairments Low-tech Glasses Color-coded organization Talking clock/ kitchen scale Magnifier/ reading glasses Large-font book Embossed marking for dangerous items High-tech Multi-modal communications system Screen Reader
Hearing Loss Loss of Volume Not all frequency are affected the same way High frequency sound usually suffer more severe loss
Noise reduction capability
AT for Hearing Impairments Low-tech Vibration Alarm Clock Flashing Alarm (Smoke detector/ door bell) Captioned TV High-tech Hearing Aids Implants
Cognitive Functions memory, association, concept formation, language, attention, perception, action, problem solving, mental imagery, learning and reaction time
Common Types of Cognitive AT Reminder Procedural assistant Information organizer Auxiliary information provider Reminiscence technology
AT for Cognitive Impairments Low-tech Pictorial communication board Photo-button phone Lists and Calendar Pill organizer and dispenser Safety alert and alarm High-tech Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Electronic organizer GPS tracker
Motor Functions Ambulatory Dexterity Stability Strength
AT for Motor/Physical Functions Low-tech Rubber-handle Utensil Jar opener Straw Holder Reacher Lazy Susan Desktop High-tech Robot Electrical Wheelchair Robotic Walkers
Mobility Issues Bedridden Unable to Walk Unable to Walk Without Aid Unable to Drive Unable to Navigate
Sense of Loss of Freedom and Independence Usually result of a compound
Social and Communications Loss and Grief Changing Roles and Perceived loss of social status Declined health conditions Care giving
Reclusiveness Social factors Geographical factors Sensory factors Psychological factors Mobility factors
Effects of Aging on Body Systems Heart and Arteries Lung Kidney Bladder Muscle Bone
Advanced AT for Vision Impairments Multi-modal communications system Screen Reader Text-to-speech GPS with speech interface Backlit buttons on the remote controls Vision Enhancement Speech command
interface Augmented reality
Advanced AT for Hearing Impairments Hearing aids Magnetic induction RF/IR Hardwire
Implants Speech recognition/caption Multi-use flashing alarm TTY Telephone relay
Advanced AT for Cognitive Impairments Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Electronic info organizer 3-button Interface Touch screen and more intuitive
interfaces Smart Home MISS (Medication Info Support
System)
Cognitive Coach (Multimedia Procedural Assistants)
Cognitive Coach
Advanced AT for Motor/Physical Functions Robot Electrical Wheelchair Robotic Walkers Ergonomic Keyboards
Advanced AT for Mobility
Advanced AT for Mobility
Advanced AT for Social/Communication Virtual/Social dining Video phone Robotic companion Email/Messaging
Compensation Using technology, device or service to compensate for
the functional deficiencies through Enhancement of the user’s own capability Enabling of alternative approaches
Alternatively, one can also modify the environment or the objects to improve users’ functions.
AT for Other Assistive Functions
Sensory
Cognitive
Motor
/Physical
Mobility
Social/Com
munication
Bodily Function
Com
pensation
Others (e.g.
financial)
Vision
Hearing
Mem
ory
Perception
Caption
Screen R
eader
Hygiene A
pp
SenseCam
Electrical W
alker
Electrical H
arness
Social Dining
Assorted
transplants
Monitoring
Assessment
Prevention
Intervention
Rehabilitation
Enhancement
Seven Assistive Functions Compensation Monitoring Assessment Prevention Intervention Rehabilitation Enhancement
Monitoring Monitoring involves measurement over time of specific
human conditions and features known to indicate changes in users’ functions.
Data on these indicators are collected to reveal change and trends.
What instruments do people use to gather data continuously or regularly to identify signs of health-related troubles?
Assessment Assessment uses data from users’ activities to derive
assessment outputs. It is important to recognize that assessment requires the
manipulation of data and uses specialized methodologies and techniques.
Assessment involves some sort of judgment, comparison or prediction. This information is often used to recommend priorities for preventive, interventive or rehabilitative measures.
Objective assessment: based on collected quantitative data Subjective assessment: based on the report and judgment by
the user or caregiver What instruments do experts use to diagnose a
condition?
Prevention Prevention is different from intervention and treatment in
that it is aimed at general population groups with various levels of risk for any problem.
The goal is to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors
What do people do/use to improve their health to prevent major risks from happening?
(Early) Intervention A process for recognizing warning signs that individuals
are at risk for any problem problems and taking early action against factors that put them at risk.
Can help individuals get better more quickly and prevent problems from becoming worse
What instruments can be used to help people showing the first sign of trouble?
To maintain function and promote independence and quality of life for people with this devastating and incurable disease.
To cope with memory impairment, language difficulties, and impairment of visuospatial function
To suggest ways for caretakers to help AD patients cope with and compensate for memory impairment
To foster the utilization of AD patients' remaining cognitive abilities and support their independence
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation is the process of assisting someone to
improve and recover lost function after an event, illness or injury that has caused functional limitations.
Rehabilitation is a huge field within health, promoting recovery for people or animals after events
What do people do/use to regain their functions after they suffer from the disease?
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy often focus on Attention Skills Executive Skills Memory Skills Visuospatial Skills Problem Solving Skills Communication Skills
Enhancement Any attempt to temporarily or permanently overcome
the current limitations of the human capabilities through natural or artificial means.
The use of technological means to select or alter human characteristics and capacities, whether or not the alteration results in characteristics and capacities that lie beyond the existing human range.
What do people use that allow them enhanced capabilities that they were otherwise unable to perform without the instruments?
Other Types of Support Support for the caregiver Support group Older adult tracker Calendar and reminders Especially important when patients suffer severe impairments
Education Information (new treatment, experimental treatment) sharing Nurse, nurse’s aids, and caregivers’ continuous training
Enhancing Older Adult’s Life – Experience Sharing Volunteering Provide information/experience Leadership and Judgment
Notes Many assistive technology provide multiple assistive functions
(not mutually-exclusive) Depend on who, when and how the assistive technology is
used, for instance, the memory exercise games When user is still healthy
Prevention Assessment
When user plays daily and keeps track of scores Monitoring
When user shows early sign of cognitive function decline Intervention
When user suffer acute and serious impairment Rehabilitation
Reminder on Project Start posting weekly meeting minutes on PBWorks this
week (everyone should be registered by Thursday) Check out a sample project website from last year for
ideas on your project website
Proposal due today Sign-up for rehearsal time for tomorrow Proposal presentation this Thursday
Group Discussion Imagine a person suffers severe impairment from one of
the category of functions just discussed, Consider from the moment this person wakes up in the
morning until goes to bed at night, and identify the difficulties this person may encounter throughout the activities of the entire day
Find or devise at least three high-tech assistive technology/devices that could help to improve the user’s life
Announcement (September 22) Twitter Discussion 2: Assistive Technology Survey Same rules: 5 products/services with links, 5 responses
and 25 quality points Original tweets about products or services should
include: 1. a link to a product webpage/research paper; 2. a short description about what the product/service does
NEW: Daily cap of 4 tweets and 9 points NEW: Bonus points available to top 4 only if satisfied
both 5+5 minimal tweets and 25 quality points requirement
Ends on October 6 Reading Assignment: chap 9, 10, 12 in the textbook
Look Ahead Proposal September 27 Project Proposal Due September 28 Rehearsals September 29 Proposal Presentation October 4 Peer Review
Midterm October 6 Midterm exam – in class, 80 minutes